The Obstacle of the Self: The ‘Elephant’s Trunk’
Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi vividly depicts the obstacles hindering humanity’s path to truth in his Masnavi. One such obstacle is the ‘elephant’s trunk,’ formed by an individual’s ego, worldly desires, and habits. Just as the elephant’s trunk prevents it from smelling the Kaaba, our self makes it difficult for us to experience Divine light and divine love. Therefore, Rumi emphasizes that those enslaved by bodily desires dull their potential for attaining truth, becoming incapable of sensing the spiritual fragrance within the depths of their inner world.
Inspiration from the Ababil: Beyond Worldly Delights
In Rumi’s teachings, the ‘ababil’ birds symbolize transcending the self. While the elephants are gathering fodder, the ababil birds flee to ensure their safety and in doing so, they sense the fragrance of the Kaaba. Similarly, we must purify our hearts without succumbing to the allure of worldly delights – false sources of satisfaction. Our heart should be like the ababil collecting fodder, surpassing the boundaries of the self and experiencing the fervor of divine love. Thus, our heart will perceive the scent of truth, and our soul will illuminate.
Patience of the Heart and Walking the Path to Truth
Rumi states that the journey to truth is a long process that must be overcome with patience. The maturation of the heart takes time, much like filling a pot. During this process, we should not act hastily, but struggle with doubts and hesitations, and proceed with submission. According to Rumi’s teachings, our hearts being in service of the beloved – walking patiently on the path of divine love – is one of the most important steps towards reaching God; this patience purifies our heart and brings us closer to truth.